New-York tribune., 1887-12-20
Ell TCATIOV NEEDED.

ELUChTION NEEDED.
The work upon which the Republican clubs
| have entered. the work upon which the future
success Of the Republican party depends must
| not be regarded lightly as a holiday amuse-
| ment. 1t is nothing less than the cnlightcn-
mcnt and education of a great Nation. Strange
| as it may seem, the Nation has enjoyed the
grand results of the protective system for a
quarter of a century, and has grown to apprc-
catc those results with just pride, and yet has
never carefully considered the principles Of
that system A multitude Of intelligent men
understand thcm and they arc practically ap-
prcciatcd by an army of workingmcn and far
mers, it is true. and the number Of those who
know what the tariff means and what it docs is
every year Increasing, and yet a large proper
tion of the voters in this country have never
given the subject serious attention, and do not
rightly understand its first principles. To
many Of them the tariff seems plan devised
for the benefit Of manufacturers and working
men in certain branches Of industry; TO others
mode of taxation which imposes burdens
they are unable to measure; to others still an
exceedingly complicated arrangement which
it is almost impossible to understand, but which
they suppose can probably be modified and
moderated with safety and with good results.
1t is not at all strange that
most Americans know little about
the tariff, although it has served as
the solid basis for much Of the industrial dcycl-
opmcnt Of the past twenty-five years. What
do most men know Of the solid rocks on which
rest the fertile soil Of the farms. the pavcmcnts
and crowded streets, the lofty structures Of
1 Il c,,I r
great cities? The supporting rocks lie below,
far out Of ordinary sight. So but few see the
laws which determine the industrial develop
mcnt Of the country, which gradually regulate
its commercial relations with other countries,
which encourage the Investment Of capital IN
one direction rather than another which invite
millions of industrious workers to this country,
which provide occupation. profitable employ
mcnt and part in the Nations grand pros
pcrty for these millions Of immigrants. and for
other millions who, but for the rapid
diverSifcatiOn Of industry, would soon over
crowd agriculture and the mechanic arts.
The coming year must be one Of information
and Of education The necessity Of the time
is that American voters should come to under
stand more generally and more clearly how the
work why it blesscs all the people and not
those engaged in particular industries only,
and why any break or leak in il Injuries all and
not one industry alone. When a small change
in single duty stopped 300 factories scat
tered ali over the Northern States thousands
Of hands cmpl ycd therein went searching for
other work. Some went to the farms. and in
creased the competition and lcSscncd the re-
wards Of farm industry. Some took mp the
saw the trowcl the spade, and forced other
mechanics to get along with less worl; and
lower wages Some offered to work at Scanty
wages in mines or iron mills, and so forced
down the wages Of great multitude Of
workers in industries the protection for which
had not been csscncd. Harm to one branch Of
industry brought lower wages and smaller
profits to a great many others, with which 1t
was in no direct way connected.
The question for this year is whether the
Democratic party shall be permitted to break
many gaps in the wall Of defence by which all
our industries arc sheltered. Free wool means
smaller returns and less employment for ono
large class. embracing millions OF workers.
Free iron orc means the closing OF great
many mines, and that means n struggle Tor
existence in which many thousand unemployed
miners will crowd the men engaged in other
occupations. Tho thousands who lose work, or
lose part Of their wages, become able TO
buy less Of the products Of other
industries, and so all other producers and all
trades are affected. If this complete inter
dependence Of industry can be made clear to
the voters Of the Nation in season, n decisive
majority In every Northern State, and in some
Southern States, will defeat and rcbukc the
cndcavor TO break down the American system
which has produced the great results now en-
joycd But If the work Of information and
education is neglected, changes may be effected
of far-rcaching and disastrous influence.